13 Tips to help a script-writer stick to his theme

More often than not, script writers tend to deviate from the main theme they are writing about. They may start battling with this so as to put the screenplay back to shape in order to reach the end of the screenplay. As they keep on battling, they may come to a point where they start losing grip on passing to their audience the message their screenplay has. Before they know what's happening, they start getting discouraged to continue; and eventually, they abandon it.

A writer has to take note of some things that will help him to be steadfast in maintain the track for his theme while writing.

Take note of these 13 tips: 

1. Have one thing in mind. Your mind should be focused on writing that thing you've been itching to let people read. You have something to let them learn and you wouldn't do yourself any good if you do not give it to them exactly the way they want it. You will not also be happy if you do not give it to them the way you want it. Just let that one thing you have in mind to be exactly what you'll write. 

2. Be with your own story. Do not mix them up with other stories.

A lot of stories are around you. Do not let them mix up with the one you have. Maintain the aim for which you want to get out your own story.

3. Have it mind that you are teaching your audience on one topic. Your theme is your topic.

4. Do not imitate other movies you have watched.

5. Do not imitate any book you have read. You may mix it up with the story you have in your mind. If you want to adapt a book, then that's a different thing.

6. Chose a screenplay title that can keep you in track with your theme.

7. Try and always remember what a theme is all about.

8. Have one story structure in mind. Before you write, or as you keep on writing, always try to keep up with that one story structure you have.

9. Do not write to show off. Write to teach your audience. Whatever you teach must have a topic. Your theme is your topic. Write to pass to them the message your theme carries.

10. Have it in mind that the reader is looking out for the core of your screenplay; the theme.

11. Cut off unnecessary characters. Unnecessary characters can make you lose focus. Every character has his or her internal conflicts. All these conflicts help drive the story forward. At a time when the writer may like to show how one of the characters will take care of his own internal conflict, the story may shift to a different track; thus making the writer lose track of the theme.

12. Mind the locations and timings. Be careful with the dialogues. Do not let all these distract you.
Manage the locations and timings to fit into the theme.
Do not write unnecessary dialogues. Be straight to the point.

13. Let the actions coincide with the theme. 'Soft' actions for 'soft' themes'

Screenplays without a defined theme have resulted to many movies not enjoyable and thrilling to the audience.
These movies do not teach any thing to their audiences. The greatest flop is that they do not linger in the minds of these audiences.
Let your audience remember you. Write good screenplays with defined themes.

Written by: Winston 'Winny Greazy' Oge

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